2010

I spend a lot of time with women planning their care and documenting the decisions we make as a team. I tried to keep a separate care plan going that was very complex but found that approach did not work - that an integrated care plan as part of an ongoing story in the woman's primary notes was much more effective.

On occasion I have found it difficult to plan midwifery care when the woman has also been under the care of an obstetrician. When care is shared, it can be difficult to provide a midwifery input when your professional judgment and views are contrary to the obstetrician. In situations such as this I try to discuss my concerns with the doctor and hopefully we come to an agreement about a plan. What I hope to avoid is putting my client in the middle of a professional dispute by making sure the woman has access to all information, and by being an advocate if the woman needs that form of support.

As a locum midwife I felt I was on the edge of the care planning - I saw my role to support the LMC where and when I could. It is not my job to over-ride all the decisions made by the LMC and woman. If I had a different opinion to the LMC, I made a point of discussing it with her first before I suggested a different idea to the woman. On the odd occasion when I didn't have a chance to talk to the LMC first, I fed back to her as soon as possible so she knew what decisions had been made and why.

Turanga Kaupapa
It is my fervent hope that I treat all women, family and colleagues with dignity and respect, in the same way I expect to be treated.

2006

I spend a lot of time with women planning their care and documenting the decisions we make as a team. I have wondered this year if I should give women a separate care plan for them to fill in. At the moment, the care plan is a living document in their notes, and I get them to write specific things in the notes so I/back up midwife can see quickly what they want.

2004

I spend a lot of time with women planning their care and documenting the decisions we make as a team. I have wondered this year if I should give women a separate care plan for them to fill in. At the moment, the care plan is a living document in their notes, and I get them to write specific things on the brown cover so I/back up midwife can see quickly what they want.